Michael Appel has worked in the field of housing and community development for almost 40 years. Beginning as a tenant organizer and housing advocate, he has experience in housing development, organizing, advocacy and policy initiatives, as well as organizational leadership. Since 1993, he has worked at Avalon Housing—an Ann Arbor, MI supportive housing provider—starting as Housing Development Specialist and later serving as Associate and then Executive Director. He currently works as Senior Developer at Avalon. Since 2016, he has also worked at Develop Detroit, a non-profit real estate development organization, as a Senior Project Manager. In 2012, he initiated AppelWorks, a consulting firm through which he has worked on homeless grants and services with Continuum of Care organizations, the Ann Arbor Housing Commission and on private, affordable housing development. He has also taught Community Practice courses at the University of Michigan School of Social Work, led trainings and provided technical assistance.